Program & Team Spotlight: Next Step
This month’s program spotlight features Next Step, a semi-independent transitional housing program for single adults who have a SPMI (Severe Persistent Mental Illness), have a history of homelessness, have frequent hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and who aren’t able to manage daily living activities due to their illness. Next Step receives client referrals from GA Regional Hospital of Atlanta and from other DBHDD Core Providers. Program Manager Stephanie Johnson shares some information and updates about the program.
Tell us more about the program and its goals.
The goal of Next Step is to prepare participants to live independently in their own apartment. To do this, we offer services including rehabilitative skills that build in a variety of areas such as activities for daily living, health and safety, home and financial management, and personal growth. Our team is made up of three staff members and we meet with clients weekly to teach and educate them, and to help them build skills. Participants are in the program for 12-18 months and we equip and empower them with the tools they need to transition into independent housing and advance on the path to self-sufficiency.
Are there any program updates you want to share?
Right now, Next Step is striving to reach our capacity of serving 16 participants. We’ve accepted several referrals so we anticipate more clients joining the program soon.
What activities are on the horizon?
We are looking forward to a Holiday Luncheon soon for our clients, and our Community Meetings will begin January 2025 and bi-monthly thereafter.
Do you have any team updates you want to share?
I want to give a shout out to my team members who go the extra mile every day to meet the needs of our clients, and a special shout out to one team member who was recently promoted to a Senior Care Coordinator.
December 2024